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MEDICAL LESSONS LEARNED
DESERT SHIELD/STORM

CATEGORY: MANPOWER AND PERSONNEL

ISSUE ITEM *:

SUBJECT: PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

BACKGROUND: Reservists reported for active duty with medical and dental problems 
which should have disqualified them from worldwide duty.

DISCUSSION: This problem has many facets. First, reservists do not report all 
medical problems for fear of being thrown out of the reserves. Secondly, dental 
problems are frequently not covered under civilian health insurance plans and are 
not taken care of until absolutely necessary. Lastly, reserve physicians and 
dentists may be aware of the reservist�s problems and not disqualify the 
individual because of lack of knowledge or because of pressure to keep someone 
active until they qualify for retirement. The pressure to keep individuals that 
are not medically qualified stems in part from the fact that reservists do not 
have vesting in their retirement. and can be discharged for medical reasons at any 
time before they complete 20 years. Such a discharge means the individual will not 
receive any compensation for all their years of service.

ACTION RECOMMENDED: This problem was not serious from the medical point of view, 
but did effect large numbers of people from the dental viewpoint. One solution 
might be to offer reservists an inexpensive dental treatment plan. Renewed 
emphasis is also needed on worldwide qualification parameters. ROA and other 
organization need to be made aware of the problems caused by the lack of vesting 
in retirement.

SUGGESTED OPR(s), OCR(s): AFRES, REM, REL, RA,
COL KOENIGSBERG
AF/REM 693-3657

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